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Friday 17 February 2006

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

AWB under fire over tax deductions

The Federal Treasurer Peter Costello has warned Australia's monopoly wheat exporter, AWB, that it could be in big trouble with the tax office. AWB's Chief Financial Officer has told the inquiry investigating bribery allegations against the company that AWB claimed tax deductions for the $300-million it paid to the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. The Labor Party says it's outrageous that taxpayers have unwittingly contributed $90-million into the Iraq kickbacks scheme. And the Treasurer says if this is the case, the full force of the law will be applied. But Labor is warning that a loophole in Australia's tax laws could mean that AWB will not be called to account for its taxation arrangement.

RBA says interest rates likely to go up

There is more sobering news today for Australians burdened with a mortgage. The Governor of the Reserve Bank has told a House of Representatives Committee in Canberra this morning that the next move in interest rates is likely to be up. Ian Macfarlane also contradicted the Treasurer on tax cuts, saying that the Government does have room to deliver cuts without putting pressure on inflation.

Indigenous leaders angry over Beattie decision not to prosecute Santos

A Queensland State Government decision on a major resources company has prompted a furious response from Indigenous leaders. The Beattie Government has announced it will not prosecute the company Santos for its delay in telling local Aboriginal people about a significant burial site on land inside the company's exploration lease. The traditional owners were not told of the site's existence for nine months. And while the Government has issued a warning to Santos, Indigenous leaders say that does not sending a strong enough message to other companies working on culturally significant land.

Witness gives evidence terrorism accused trained in al-Qaeda camp

In Melbourne, the trial of a taxi driver, Joseph Terrence Thomas, on charges of terrorism took a dramatic turn this morning with evidence being given to the court by video link from a United States prison. Yahya Goba, who is serving a prison sentence in the US for terrorism offences, told the Victorian Supreme Court that the Australian accused had trained at an al-Qaeda camp in Afghanistan in 2001.

Opposition calls for funding to cover more than just abortion counselling

The Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says he's planning to expand counselling services for women considering abortion in an attempt to cut the rate of terminations in Australia. But the Labor Party says this funding should be expanded to cover a wide range of medical or emotional conditions. Labor's health spokeswoman, Julia Gillard, says funding for counselling shouldn't be restricted to women considering abortions.

French Govt in trouble over decommissioned warship bound for India

The French Government has been forced into an embarrassing backdown over a redundant warship that was destined for a scrap yard in India. Environmentalists campaigning to stop France from exporting waste materials to poorer nations claimed the ship was full of asbestos and should remain in France. French authorities said the ship had all ready been decontaminated, but the country's highest court intervened and ordered the Government to turn the ship around.

British Cabinet Minister joins UN in calls for closure of Guantanamo Bay prison

A British Cabinet Minster has joined the United Nations in calling for the closure of the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The White House has labelled the UN report, which also refers to torture, a "discredit" to the organisation and has rejected its recommendations. But the release of the UN report has come just as three British residents held at Guantanamo Bay have won permission to seek a High Court order requiring the UK Government to petition for their release. The judge found that claims of torture at the US facility meant the government might have an obligation to act on their behalf.

Gay rights activists concerned over growing influence of Family First party in SA

In the 1970s, South Australia led the nation on gay rights by becoming the first state to decriminalise homosexuality. But 30 years on, it's a completely different story. Unlike every other state in the nation, South Australia is yet to do away with laws which discriminate against homosexual couples. And with a state election just a month away, gay rights activists say they may have missed their chance for reform, because of the growing influence of the Family First Party.

NSW Treasurer pushes for national summit on federal-state relations

Before he's even been sworn in as the state's new Treasurer, Michael Costa has become embroiled in a row with his Federal counterpart. Mr Costa says that as treasurer of the nation's largest state, he'll write to Peter Costello to ask for a national summit on Federal-State relations. And he says he'll urge the other State and Territory treasurers for their support. But Peter Costello has defended himself against the incoming Treasurer's criticisms of his efforts in tackling problems such as the aging of Australia’s population.

Now not the time to invest in property market: economists

Despite statistics out this week showing signs of an improving housing market, economic forecasters at BIS Shrapnel say now is not the time to invest in the property market. And they say not to expect a turn around in market conditions for at least another 12 months.

Kerry Packer remembered at state memorial service

There's been a big turnout at the Sydney Opera House for the publicly funded memorial service for Kerry Packer. State services are usually reserved for prominent public officials like Prime Ministers and Premiers. But Prime Minister John Howard has made an exception for Australia's richest man, and one of the dominant figures in Australian media and sport for decades.